Cruising Permit Fees for 2007?

[S/V Toucan Dream]

The Prime Minister and several of the Ministers were recently in Ft. Pierce for a gathering with a local attorney. A friend overheard a discussion that the cruising fees were going up the first of 2007 such that it would be about $1,000 for a cruising sailboat to check into the Bahamas for a six-month cruise. Also, the fishing regulations for cruisers and visiting boats would be drastically changed. Does anyone have any information concerning any upcoming changes in cruising fees and fishing regulations?

[s/v Fais Do Do]

Hi Bob,

Can you say, "EXTORTION?" See you in Mexico!

Hello to Carin!

Rick

[Alan Brown]

Regular and long-term cruisers to the Bahamas have always had the option of registering their boat in the Bahamas. After paying the import duty, one can obtain a Bahamian registration.

Import duty rates are 27% for vessels under 30 ft. and 6% for vessels 30-100 ft. If you factor in the cost of annual cruising permits over time, it may be more cost-effective to pay the import duty.

For example, the import duty on my Hunter 30 (based upon bill of sale info.) was $1800. The annual registration fee is $100. I don't have to pay for cruising permits anymore (no matter how much they may cost in the future), remove my boat after 3 years, before re-entering, etc. I am now a Bahamian-flagged vessel and can keep my boat in the Bahamas indefinitely.

I can see only one drawback to doing this is. If you return to the States, you are entering as a foreign-flagged vessel and will be subjected to more scrutiny than a U.S. vessel. On the plus side, I don't think local tax collectors can hassle you about registering your boat in their state after some specific time period has elapsed (something FL is notorious for).

Just offering some food for thought.

[turner]

Some thoughts about this..

1. It would be disasterous to the marina and sport fishing industries in the Bahamas.

2. Registering is not an option for the short term visitor.

3. I wonder if new fishing regulations apply to non Bahamians even if their boat were registered in the Bahamas.

4. Don't believe anything like this until it is law. I don't think the Bahamian government wants to hurt tourism for a short term gain.

[pelicanpete]

... A friend overheard a discussion that the cruising fees were going up the first of 2007 such that it would be about $1,000 for a cruising sailboat...This is no more than a idle rumour and hearsay. "A friend overheard...etc". IMO it's irresponsible to start such rumours. There is no foundation to this statement. Let's stick to the facts. :mad:

[ModeratorXXX]

Well said, Pete. For now this a rumor. Thread closed.